Shaqiri, who joined the Reds in the summer for £13million, was in stunning form during their Champions League thrashing of Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday night.

Shaqiri embraces with Reds boss Jurgen Klopp

‘Best signing in history’ – Liverpool fans rave about Xherdan Shaqiri

And Mellor, who played for Liverpool for four years (2002-06), believes the club have signed a player similar to that of former fan favourite Philippe Coutinho, who left to join Barcelona in January.

“I really like Shaqiri. What a bargain he seems like when you think what Liverpool bought him for in the summer from Stoke,” Mellor told Love Sport Radio.

“He has that creative ability in the final third to open up defences. Again at the weekend against Huddersfield with his assist for the goal and again in the second half with a lovely little through ball.

Coutinho was a fan favourite at Anfield

“Not since Coutinho have Liverpool had that sort of creative player in the midfield three.

“We know about the front three and they’re going to score plenty of goals.

“But if you’ve got someone with that creative influence just in behind he could well make a big difference.

“Adam Lallana has been that player but unfortunately injuries have limited his game time. So Shaqiri could be a big difference in games where teams are going to set up and say ‘come and break us down’.

Shaqiri supplied the assist for Mohamed Salah’s winning goal against Huddersfield last weekend

“Someone like Shaqiri could be the answer in those tighter games.”

The game also saw Mohamed Salah bag a brace which took his overall goal tally for the club to 50.